Disabled people cannot use more than half of London's train stations, research shows

Transport: more than half of London's stations are not accessible for disabled passengers, research suggests
AP

More than half of London’s train stations cannot be used by some disabled passengers because there is no step-free access available, research has showed.

Steps are preventing physically disabled people from travelling independently from 55 per cent of the capital’s stations, according to the data.

Passengers have also reported problems arranging ramps to get them between a platform and a train, a charity claimed as it urged for all stations to be made accessible.

It comes after disabled comedian Tanyalee Davis made headlines when she was forced to move her mobility scooter from a disabled space on a Great Western Railway train.

Tanyalee Davis recorded a tearful video about the nightmare journey form Plymouth to London
Tanyalee Davis / YouTube

She was reduced to tears when a train guard made her move so a woman could put her pram in the wheelchair area on the train between Plymouth and London in July.

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown said it was one of a number of incidents she has suffered, adding that they make her feel "worthless".

On board: Hannah Barham-Brown revealed the difficulties faced by disabled travellers in London
Twitter/Hannah Barham-Brown

Nationwide, more than 40 per cent of England’s 2,560 stations do not have full step-free access, Office of Rail and Road data analysed by disabled charity Leonard Cheshire showed.

The charity warned that “poor” public transport across the country is forcing disabled people to everyday events and employment opportunities.

Its chief executive Neil Heslop said: "Disabled people cannot continue to put their lives on hold. Rail operators must make it their absolute priority to ensure that their train stations have step-free access, so that all their customers can travel as they choose."

RMT union leader Mick Cash described the figures as "shameful".

Robert Nisbet, regional director at industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: "Over seven in 10 journeys are from step-free stations but we want everyone to be able to benefit from the opportunities travelling by train opens up, including disabled people.

"As part of our plan to change and improve, we're working together with disability groups improve accessibility and investing in projects that will improve our service, including rolling out a new assistance app and installing more lifts and ramps at stations."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We are determined to make sure that our railways are accessible to everyone, which is why we have already invested to deliver accessible routes and step free access at nearly 2,000 stations around the country.

"But we recognise there is more to be done, which is why we launched our Inclusive Transport Strategy earlier this year and are committing further funding to deliver enhancements at railway stations until at least 2024."

Previous research by Leonard Cheshire suggested more than a third (35 per cent) of working age disabled people had experienced problems using trains in the past year as a result of their disability.

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